Today we’d like to introduce you to Keila-Rae Jenson
Hi Keila-Rae, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Sattva Yoga Center has been teaching yoga in downtown Escondido for over 20 years. When Sattva’s original founder, Rached Maalouf, passed away in 2019, we (Keila-Rae and David Jenson) were able to take on the business- and carry on the traditions, practice and asana sequences that make Sattva such a special and beloved space within the community.
We specialize in traditional, classical yoga- primarily Hatha, Yin and Restorative yoga practices; but we also offer power/Vinyasa yoga, Shakti flow (similar to Kundalini), meditation as well as Strength & Conditioning.
Keila-Rae was trained by Rached Maalouf, who in tern studied at the Yoga Circle in Encinitas- with our yoga lineage ultimately tracing back to Paramahansa Yogananda, who started some of the first yoga studios in the United States and is credited with bringing yoga and meditation to the west.
In addition to our yoga classes, offered seven days a week, we’ve also striven to bring special event to the community- specialty workshops focused on Yoga & Aging, music events (we’ve started a Kirtan Night with call-and-response chants and communal singing), etc.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As with many businesses, we were greatly impacted by the global COVID pandemic. We bought the business at the end of 2019, just a few months before the pandemic forced business closures, etc– and we were one of the last business types to be able to safely reopen.
As the pandemic started hitting state-side, we immediately started hosting classes via Zoom, and were able to work with the city of Escondido to be permitted to offer Yoga-in-the-Park at our historic Grape Day Park.
Keila-Rae taught those outdoor park classes year-round, with iPad en toe, Zooming from the park each day. David would play live, ambient guitar for some of the classes to help make the classes special and an event, and help distract from the over strangeness of the circumstances.
Much as the pandemic set us back years, which we’re still making up, it also strengthened our resolve and determination to carry of Sattva as a place of yoga, community and refuge. We’re proud to have made it through, and look forward to a brighter future!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Sattva, we specialize in classical, traditional yoga- we believe it can transform and improve your life in nearly all aspects. One of our favorite qualities of Sattva is the diverse community which has made Sattva their home. The community and teachers help support and push each other- through life changes, recoveries, and the regular foibles of life. Our dedication to authentic yoga, and the support and talents of our community and teachers is what sets us apart most, and is what made us fall in love with Sattva Yoga Center in the first place.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Perseverance- as business owners and yogis, we’ve learned to take each day as it comes. We’ve learned that each day will come with it’s own unique challenges, and that we must be adaptable, flexible– and to find alignment within a challenge rather than to avoid or struggle against it. These lessons, learned primarily through yogic practice, have taught us resilience through dedication, to our yoga, our studio, our community, and to showing up each day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sattvayogacenter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sattvayogacenterescondido/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sattvayogacenterescondido
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sattvayogacenter6487
